Navigating Your Local Farmer's Market

There is nothing fresher than what you can find at your local farmers market. Quite often, products are picked or collected that morning and driven straight to the market. Can it get fresher than that? If you haven’t taken full advantage of shopping at one before, here are a few tips to get your started.

How do I find a farmers market?

There are several resources out there that can help you locate the nearest farmers market. From neighbors, community centers and visitor bureaus, there is also the internet. Simply type in your city and “farmers market” and a plethora, in most areas, will appear. From there, jot down the day of week and hours and mark it on your calendar. There are farmers markets everyday of the week, you just need to find the day for the market nearest you.

What should I bring?

I always recommend bringing a sweater, pants, or jacket (depending on the weather of course) that has a zip pocket. This way, you can keep your money, cell phone and keys on you and not worry about carrying a purse. Quite often, you will find yourself stopping for samples or to make your selection and there is nowhere to safely put your purse as you canvas through the barrels of fresh produce.  I also always bring a cooler in my car to help keep perishable items at their prime until home.

Do they accept credit cards?

Some vendors do but they are usually the devices that plug into their cell phones or ipads. I always bring cash in the chance they don’t accept cards.

Can I bring my dog?

Some markets allow dogs and others do not! I normally would not bring my dog because there is a lot of stimulus (aka FOOD) and it can be distracting from my main purpose for being there. Plus, when you stop to make a purchase, it’s hard to hold a leash, watch your dog, talk to the farmers, make a selection and pay all at the same time.  If you still want to bring Fido, I would check the website first and call the info line if they have one.

Do I need to bring my own shopping bags?

I always do because quite often, they will ask if you have them and it really helps them out. Also, the bags they give you could be like the bags you find in the produce section at your grocery store and don’t have handles. Bring shopping bags that have straps that can easily fit over your shoulders or cross-body for easy comfort and to accommodate all those lovely finds that you will have.

Can I ask the vendors questions on how they would prepare a dish with their produce?

ABSOLUTELY! Quite often those that are working the stands own the farm or are closely connected with the produce in some capacity. Because of this, I usually find that they are passionate for the products they sell and use them themselves. 

Are farmers markets good for kids?

Yes! It’s a great way to get kids involved in what they are eating. I find that kids will try more ingredients and be more open to trying new things if they take part in the process. Whether that be shopping, prepping or peeling, get them involved at every level and make it fun. Let them make choices and have a say in what’s in their morning smoothie, for example. If we allow our children more time around food, I think we will find that their palates will naturally mature along with them.

Anything else I should know?

Always check the website, if they have one, before going as hours, days and vendors may change with the seasons and products that are available. 

Shopping at farmers markets is a great way to educate yourself on products that you may not see at mainstream grocery stores and is an opportunity to try something new. With all the information that is available to us right there at the market and also online, think of all the new creations you can come up with by simply allowing yourself the opportunity to try something new.

Cheers to starting a new tradition around the table together!

Sincerely,

Tiffany Lewis

Founder and true believer in the power of bringing people around The Table Together!

What's Cooking? Sunday Supper Reveal

It has been full-on testing mode around the test kitchen this past week. I am either enjoying the labor of my week or possibly making a salad and calling it at that!

Whatever it is that you are enjoying for Sunday supper, I hope that you find time to gather your friends and family around the table together.

Cheers to starting a new tradition around the table together!

Sincerely,

Tiffany Lewis

Founder and true believer in the power of bringing people around The Table Together!

Sunday Supper Recommendation: Lasagna

One great way to gather family and friends around the table together for Sunday supper, is serving them something homemade. Lasagna, for example, is a great dish that can easily be shared around the table and is a true family favorite.

Whatever you decide on for Sunday supper tomorrow, I hope that you find time to gather your friends and family around the table together.

Cheers to starting a new tradition at home around the table together.

Sincerely,

Tiffany Lewis

Founder and true believer in the power of bringing people around The Table Together!

Weekend Happenings: Testing February Recipe of the Days!!!

This weekend I am in full testing mode for February recipes. For those that are just joining the conversation, I post a fresh new recipe every day of the week, as in 7 fresh new delicious recipes every single week! Some may call me crazy, sometimes I wonder myself, but it’s a wonderful challenge that I have committed to and am executing on with incredibly tasty and delicious homemade meals that can easily be shared around the table together.

Whatever you are getting into this weekend, I hope that you find time to gather your friends and family around the table together. Now if you will excuse me, I have some cooking to do!

Cheers to starting a new tradition around the table together!

Sincerely,

Tiffany Lewis

Founder and true believer in the power of bringing people around The Table Together!

Throwback Thursday: First Interview at Le Cordon Bleu

I will never forget driving to Pasadena with my mom for my first interview at Le Cordon Bleu. I wasn’t sure what to expect and wasn’t even sure at that point if going back to school was the right choice. Fast forward four years, I will always be thankful to Le Cordon Bleu and their superb Chef instructors for the discipline and education that has guided me to where I am today. Wherever the time has gone, it has been a wonderful journey; one I look forward to continuing.

Cheers to starting a new tradition around the table together!

Sincerely,

Tiffany Lewis

Founder and true believer in the power of bringing people around The Table Together!

Committing to YOUR New Year Resolutions!!

It’s 2015 and have our New Year’s Resolutions going in full gear, but what’s going to keep them going for the rest of the year? By having a plan, goals, milestones and rewards along the way, the resolution stays constant and most importantly, becomes a way of life.

Here are a few tips to help keep your New Years Resolution on tack and going strong straight to 2016:

What’s the goal?  Have you written it down?

• Be clear with what it is that you are striving for and write it down!
• Put it where you will see it, on your mirror, in your car cup holder, on the fridge, on your desk, whatever makes sense and whatever will bring constant focus toward your goal.
• Do you have measureable ways of tracking progress? What will it look like when you have completed your resolution?
• You need to set a goal for yourself and make it clear. By adding measurable deliverables and tracking them, you can see progress and an end.

Set rewards:

• I always recommend finding ways to reward yourself for all of your effort, dedication and commitment.
• Make reaching goals fun and rewarding. Whether it’s after the first 5 pounds, completed half marathon or week at the gym, write down those milestones and reward yourself.
• Maybe it’s a massage, new tennis shoes, bathing suit, outfit, date night, babysitter, or a trip to the beach. Make it relevant and meaningful to you!  

The skinny on dieting:

• The most important component to any long-lasting diet is creating a realistic way to incorporate the diet as part of your everyday life. It has to be realistic, achievable and attainable.
• The best way to do this is by writing down absolutely everything you eat. The bite of your kids mac and cheese, the sip of milkshake, the apple, the cookie, write it down! There is no shame here, just a way of tracking where those extra calories are coming from and if you really need them.
• After a few days you will clearly see that a lot more is coming in than is really needed and you can focus your energy on making room for calories that really count. Do I really want to write down that cookie?
• Hold yourself accountable and remember, you are only cheating yourself by not writing down every morsel, crumb and bite.

The skinny about hitting the gym:

• I always look around the gym come January 2 and see how my once quiet gym now has a waiting list at the 6 a.m. spin class. By February the list gets shorter and shorter as well, life happens and those New Year “Resolutioners” drop off.   Don’t let that statistic include you! Schedule time for working out in your calendar and hold yourself accountable.
• Write down what days you are going and exactly what you are focusing on. Monday: arms, back, abs, 30 min cardio. Tuesday: Spin class, abs. Whatever it is, write it down, schedule it and hold to that schedule.
• Look at your gym as a date, you wouldn’t let them down by backing out last minute, or would you? Whatever motivation gets you there, take it! Whether it is a trainer to help build a schedule, new shoes, upbeat playlist, or workout clothes, make going to the gym as enjoyable as possible with a few basic essentials.
• Print the class schedule for the month, highlight what you want to take, enlist a friend to come with you, and GO! 

Regardless of the above, the one thing I want you to take away is that this is your year. Make this goal personal, take it head on and tell it whose boss! Make it happen for yourself and reap the benefits come 2016!

Cheers to starting a new tradition around the table together!

Sincerely,

Tiffany Lewis

Founder and true believer in the power of bringing people around The Table Together!

Brown Vs. White Eggs

When looking for eggs, we are faced with lots of choices. We understand the differences between free-range, large, extra large, jumbo, “natural,” and organic but what’s the scoop on white and brown eggs? I did a little digging to bring you the skinny and hopefully, to help shed some light.

Most people think that brown eggs are better, have richer yolks and tougher shells, but actually, that isn’t the case. Brown and white eggs share all of the same attributes other than the chicken that laid them. White eggs are laid by white feathered chickens and brown eggs are laid by red feathered chickens. Really, it’s as simple as that. 

So before you spend another afternoon “humming and hawing” in the egg aisle, consider the above and pick a color; any color!

Cheers to starting a new tradition around the table together!

Sincerely,

Tiffany Lewis

Founder and true believer in the power of bringing people around The Table Together!

Mom's Belated Birthday

Tonight my mom and I are heading out for her birthday dinner. It’s a huge surprise, sorry I cannot share, but we are dressing up for a lovely evening on the town. Get ready mom, we are celebrating in style!

Whatever you are gathering to for Sunday Supper, I hope that you find time to gather your friends and family around the table together.

Cheers to starting a new tradition around the table together!

Sincerely,

Tiffany Lewis

Founder and true believer in the power of bringing people around The Table Together!

Sunday Supper Recommendation: Creamy Dill Vinaigrette

This weekend my mom is in town and we are heading out to celebrate her belated birthday. I cannot say where we are going, because it is a surprise of course, but it’s going to be incredible!

Whatever it is that you are celebrating this weekend, I hope that you find time to gather your friends and family around the table together!

Cheers to starting a new tradition around the table together!

Sincerely,

Tiffany Lewis

Founder and true believer in the power of bringing people around The Table Together!

Mom is in Town

This weekend my mom is in town and we are heading out to celebrate her belated birthday. I cannot say where we are going, because it is a surprise of course, but it’s going to be incredible!

Whatever it is that you are celebrating this weekend, I hope that you find time to gather your friends and family around the table together!

Cheers to starting a new tradition around the table together!

Sincerely,

Tiffany Lewis

Founder and true believer in the power of bringing people around The Table Together!

Throwback Thursday:

My dad recently put together a wonderful collection of pictures from my childhood. From first steps to dance recitals and grandparent’s day at school, he captured it all. And this picture of my first steps with my dad gingerly standing by with outstretched arms, captured my heart!

Cheers to starting a new tradition around the table together!

Sincerely,

Tiffany Lewis

Founder and true believer in the power of bringing people around The Table Together!

Unbleached Vs. Bleached All-Purpose Flour

Have you ever wondered what the difference between unbleached and bleached flour is? Quite often a recipe won’t decipher which one to use, so which one should you stock your pantry with as a good baseline? There are so many questions around the difference and which one is “better” that I hope I can help bring some clarity.

Unbleached All-Purpose Flour:

Unbleached all-purpose flour is the most versatile flour for the home kitchen and can be used in everything from dredging chicken to making muffins and even pie-crust. It’s a great staple to have on hand.  My absolutely favorite brand, and the only one I stock my pantry with, is King Arthurs!

Bleached All-Purpose Flour:

In this case, as the name may suggest, a bleaching agent (chemicals like chlorine) are added to brighten the color. If you look at them side by side, bleached flour is whiter. The process of bleaching flour also lowers the protein count, which results in a softer and tenderer product when used in baked goods.  Some recipes specifically call for “bleached,” but unless the recipe specially calls for it, I always use “unbleached.” King Arthurs doesn’t carry “bleached” flour and you may have a hard time finding it, especially at places like Whole Foods.

Want to know more? Check out King Arthur’s website, and this link in particular:

King Arthurs 

Cheers to starting a new tradition around the table together!

Sincerely,

Tiffany Lewis

Founder and true believer in the power of bringing people around The Table Together!

When to Buy Organic?

There are so many great options these days when it comes to produce, dairy and meat. A recent trip to Pavilions in Newport Beach, CA displayed an abundance of fresh kale, squash, onions and beets that looked divine. Some were organic and some were not which raised the question, when should I buy organic?

Fruit and Produce:

• I always recommend buying organic especially if an item doesn’t have a peel and the skin, that is edible, has been exposed. For example, I never buy organic bananas because the peel protects the deliciously sweet interior. Apples, greens, like the kale mentioned above, and fruit I always try to buy organic. However, that being said, sometimes organic has a lot more “character” – shall we call it – than non-organic because it was grown without the cookie-cutter mold of hormones and injections that help create a particular look.
• Do you ever wonder why organic greens may be “dirtier” and have more “blemishes” than non? Organic products don’t use harmful chemicals that prevent that from happening. All this being said, if non-organic looks better than organic, I may go that route but spend extra care and attention to cleaning and preparing the product.
• Would you spend more on a less quality product? First use that as your base and buy what looks best. And, if you are adamant about buying organic and organic kale looks worse than non-organic, adjust your shopping list to what looks best! This is another reason why I often go to the store with a general idea of what I want but allow myself the flexibility to swap things around depending on what is fresh and looks best.

Meat:

• When it comes to meat, I try to buy organic wherever I can especially when it comes to chicken. Have you seen a chicken in real life? There is no way their breasts are that big and if they were, how would they be able to support them? Just think about that for a second….
• Grass-fed, free-range etc. etc. etc. If organic isn’t available, I try to make the best choice I can with what I have. First off, if you have a choice, shop where you know they carry a nice selection of organic and sustainable products. There is a small store near where I live that doesn’t carry a large selection of organic meat so I shop there knowing that and save my protein for another store.
• Call around, talk to the butcher, go to your farmers market, ask your neighbors, do your research. Where do YOU buy your meat? There are several great meat shops around town that will most likely have what you want, or possibly, can order them for you with notice.

Dairy:

• ALWAYS buy organic. I don’t need growth hormones and antibiotics in my diet!
• Eggs: Always buy organic! Brown and white eggs are not any different – simply put, some chickens lay white and some lay brown - so don’t get caught paying extra for brown. I like the way they look so that’s the choice I make.

Whatever choice you make and wherever you find yourself in the constant conversation of organic vs. non-organic, I hope that you consider both sides and do your research. I do think spending extra money for a “purer” and “cleaner” product is the way to go, but that’s my personal opinion.

Cheers to starting a new tradition around the table together!

Sincerely,

Tiffany Lewis

Founder and true believer in the power of bringing people around The Table Together!

Sunday Supper Reveal: Test Kitchen Leftovers

It has been a busy week here in the test kitchen and my fridge is showing the benefits of it. I may invite a few friends over for a Sunday smorgasbord of this and that. Sometimes it isn’t about the food but about the company, and this evening, it’s all about the company!

Whatever it is that you are gathering to this evening, I hope that you find time to gather your friends and family around the table together.

Cheers to starting a new tradition around the table together!

Sincerely,

Tiffany Lewis

Founder and true believer in the power of bringing people around The Table Together!

Sunday Supper: Roast Chicken

Nothing is easier and more satisfying than a beautifully golden brown whole roasted chicken.  I have a delicious and easy recipe that can quickly be made and served in just a few hours. Now, how is that for a show-stopping Sunday feast?

Whatever it is that you are gathering to for Sunday supper tomorrow, I hope that you find time to gather around the table together with family and friends.

Cheers to starting a new tradition around the table together!

Sincerely,

Tiffany Lewis

Founder and true believer in the power of bringing people around The Table Together!

Weekend Happenings: Spending Time Outdoors!

Whatever it is that I decide to do this weekend, I want to be outdoors basking in the sun (hopefully), even if it is cold! One of my New Years Resolutions is spending more time outdoors and finding time in my day to do so. I know we don’t all have the luxury of stepping outside in the middle of the day with work and all, but if there is a moment where you can even walk around the block or building, do so! Just a few fresh breaths of crisp winter air can awaken your senses and give you more energy than a venti Americano! And that my friends, is saying a lot!

Whatever it is that you are getting into this weekend, I hope that you find time to gather your friends and family around the table together.

Cheers to starting a new tradition around the table together!

Sincerely,

Tiffany Lewis

Founder and true believer in the power of bringing people around The Table Together!

Throwback Thursday: Zip-Lining Through Hocking Hills

When I was living in Columbus, Ohio, everyone told me that while I was there, I had to go zip-lining in Hocking Hills. At first, the idea of zipping through the forest like Tarzan seemed a little daunting, I mean think of all that could go wrong! You are some 60 feet in the air fully depending on a harness and cables to get you from one treetop to the next.  It took my brother coming for a visit to give me the nerve (and courage) to scale the treetop and zip my way through Hocking Hills. It was really exhilarating and breathtaking (literally) but wow how freeing!

Whether this is for you or not, I suppose we live once. Right?

Cheers to starting a new tradition around the table together!

Sincerely,

Tiffany Lewis

Founder and true believer in the power of bringing people around The Table Together!

Farmer's Market Reveal

If you haven’t had a chance to take a trip to the farmers market recently, I highly recommend that you do! With cold weather we see an abundance of citrus and many varieties at that. From blood oranges to grapefruit and pomelos, there is a bounty of citrus to choose from.  Also in full bloom at the market are cabbages including cauliflower, Brussels sprouts and broccoli, root vegetables like turnips, rutabagas, carrots and parsnips, and of course, plenty of beets, potatoes, mushrooms and different varieties of onions, to name a few of the highlights

Shopping at Farmers Markets is a wonderful way to eat seasonally, fresh and to learn about what it is that you are eating and feeding your family and friends. Plus, the farmers quite often have great tips on preparing and cooking their product as chances are, they have an abundance of it in their own kitchen. In addition, you are supporting local farmers and growers that make a living off of their land taking great pride in their product.

There are farmers markets every day of the week and chances are, you will find one close to you! So go ahead, ask around and start shopping!

Cheers to starting a new tradition around the table together!

Sincerely,

Tiffany Lewis

Founder and true believer in the power of bringing people around The Table Together!

Cheers to Making this your Best Year Yet!!!

Here we are!!! It is 2015 and New Years Resolutions are written down with high aspirations for reaching them. I say, why not make this your best year yet by making New Year Resolutions top priority! Whether you tape them to your bathroom mirror, put them on sticky notes and scatter them around the house for constant reminders or set calendar notifications with daily words of encouragement, whatever works for you in obtaining the goal at large, write it down and put it front and center! Whatever your New Years resolution(s) may be, let’s make this your best year yet by sticking to them. 

The Table Together not only offers great tips and recipes to gather your friends and family around the table together, it offers constant motivation, inspiration and insight into ways to keep the sneakers by the door and sweet-tooth’s at bay. Most importantly, I am not here to be your drill sergeant and to tell you that you cannot have any sweets and must workout every day. I am here to be your cheerleader and to help you realize that everything can be achieved in moderation and that moderation is the surest way of keeping realistic goals.  Want to learn how to cook healthy meals? Let me help you! Want to start training for a half-marathon? I have a perfect running plan for you. Want to spend more time reading? I offer daily tips, motivation and articles around food and general well being. Whatever it is that you aspire to in 2015, let’s make it happen!

Now with that, go grab your sneakers and let’s hit the pavement! We have some work to do and I cannot wait to get started with you!!!

Happy New Year and cheers to making 2015 your best year yet!!!

Cheers to starting a new tradition around the table together!

Sincerely

Tiffany Lewis

Founder and true believer in the power of bringing people around The Table Together!

What's Cooking Sunday Supper Reveal: Mom's Birthday!

Today is my mom’s birthday and I wish more than anything that I could be with her.  If I were in town, I would make a delicious feast in celebration of all that she is and all that she does. My mom is my friend, my confidant and my number 1 cheerleader! She has been there for me through thick and thin and continues to amaze me at her grace and patience. She brings such strength to everyone that she meets. She is loyal, genuine and believes in the best of people. She sets an example that I am so grateful to follow.

Whatever it is that you are celebrating this evening, I hope that you find time to gather your friends and family around the table together!

Cheers to starting a new tradition around the table together!

Sincerely,

Tiffany Lewis

Founder and true believer in the power of bringing people around The Table Together!